Hairstyling edge-control systems and methods

ABSTRACT

There are provided systems for styling hair, in particular, baby hairs. The systems include a hairstyling device having a handle and at least one of bristles or a row of teeth positioned on a side of one end of the handle. Also provided is a tail comb operatively attached to an opposite end of the handle, the tail comb being collapsible for storage in an interior portion of the handle of the handle.

I. TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to hairstyling devices. In particular, the present invention relates to devices for styling baby hairs.

II. BACKGROUND

In the field of hairstyling, baby hairs are in the midst of a resurgence. Baby hairs are very fine, delicate, and thinly textured hair strands located at the edges of a person's hairline. Particularly within the African American, Latinx, and other communities of color, baby hairs feature prominently in hairstyling, especially in relation to hair beautification, treatment products, customizing of wigs, etc. With their resurgence and emerging interests, baby hairs enjoy many fashionable and artful styles. For example, baby hairs can be slicked down or gelled to lay flat, or styled to create swirls, spirals, wave-like patterns, and many others.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of several exemplary baby hair styles 100, 102, and 103. In spite of a resurgence and increasing prominence, the baby hair styling industry is inconvenienced by a patchwork of different types of tools and devices to create the styles noted above and depicted in FIG. 1. A tail comb, or rat tail comb, is the professional hair stylist most popular tool for creating fashionable and artful baby hair styles.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of several conventional baby-hair brushes and combs available at local retailers. In FIG. 2, a rat tail comb 200 includes a sharp tip 202 for parting hair and to pull out the baby hair to begin the styling process. A brush/comb combination (i.e., a top portion) 203 is provided at another end of the rat tail comb 200 for styling purposes, such as forming shapes with the baby hair.

Another conventional tool is a rat tail comb 204 that includes a sharp tip 206, along with a comb 207. Although effective for styling purposes, the sharp tips 202 and 206 of the rat tail combs 200 and 204 are prone to breakage and other types of damage. The sharp tips 202 and 206 are also frequent sources of damage to garment pockets and purse linings, while being carried. They can also pose a danger to the user.

A third conventional tool is a styling comb 208. The styling comb 208 includes a brush 210 at one and a comb 212 at the other end. The styling comb 208, however, is devoid of the sharp tips seen in the tail comb 200 and the rat tail comb 204. Thus, a user in possession of the styling comb 208 would likely need an additional tool, such as a rat tail comb, for parting the hair and pulling out the baby hairs.

In a pinch, professional stylists and self-stylists may substitute use of a toothbrush, a large comb, or an oversized brush to shape and lay down the baby hair. In fact, many self-stylists traditionally use a human digit, such as their finger, to press the baby hairs down to form shapes, such as the shapes shown in FIG. 1. The finger, for example, can emulate the functionality of the top portion of the comb (e.g., the top portion 203 of the tail comb 200).

One of the problems with using a human finger as a tool for styling baby hairs is that conditioning gels and other hair treatments can cause the baby hairs to stick to the skin of the finger. Accordingly, several different types of tools, such as brushes, toothbrushes, and regular baby hairbrushes, are needed to begin and complete the baby hair styling process in an efficient and satisfactory manner.

III. SUMMARY

The embodiments featured herein help solve or mitigate the above noted deficiencies as well as other issues known in the art. For example, what is needed are convenient methods and systems for efficiently, satisfactorily, and safely styling baby hairs. Tools constructed in accordance with the embodiments provide a baby-hair brush with a collapsible tail comb and a pressing tip for parting and laying down baby hairs. These tools ultimately assist in easily and efficiently creating the fashionable and artful baby hair styles that are enjoyed and appreciated by so many.

Under certain circumstances, an embodiment of the present invention includes a hairstyling device having a handle and at least one of bristles or a row of teeth positioned on a side of one end of the handle. Also provided is a tail comb operatively attached to an opposite end of the handle, the tail comb being collapsible for storage in an interior portion of the handle.

Additional features, modes of operations, advantages, and other aspects of various embodiments are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is noted that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described herein. These embodiments are presented for illustrative purposes only. Additional embodiments, or modifications of the embodiments disclosed, will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on the teachings provided.

IV. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Illustrative embodiments may take form in various components and arrangements of components. Illustrative embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference numerals may indicate corresponding or similar parts in the various drawings. The drawings are only for purposes of illustrating the embodiments and are not to be construed as limiting the disclosure. Given the following enabling description of the drawings, the novel aspects of the present disclosure should become evident to a person of ordinary skill in the relevant art(s).

FIG. 1 is an illustration of several exemplary baby hair styles.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of conventional baby-hair brushes and combs.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a baby-hair brush constructed and arranged in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a detailed illustration of a collapsible tail comb depicted in the embodiment of FIG. 3, according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a detailed illustration of a collapsible tail comb depicted in the embodiment of FIG. 3, according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a baby-hair brush cap constructed in accordance with the embodiments.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of sample dimensions of one example of a baby-hair brush in accordance with the embodiments.

V. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the illustrative embodiments are described herein for particular applications, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art and with access to the teachings provided herein will recognize additional applications, modifications, and embodiments within the scope thereof and additional fields in which the present disclosure would be of significant utility.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a baby-hair brush 300 constructed and arranged in accordance with the embodiments. The baby-hair brush 300 includes a pressing tip 302 attached to a first (distal) end 303 of the brush 300. The pressing tip 302 can be attached to the baby-hair brush 300 using conventional techniques well known to those of skill in the art, such as gluing, stapling, or some other fastening arrangement.

The pressing tip 302 is used for styling baby hairs, particularly to press the baby hairs down onto a surface of the skin and keeping the baby hairs in place. The pressing tip 302 can be constructed of a soft material such as rubber, plastic, or a hard foam. The pressing tip 302 can also be constructed of other suitable materials within the spirit and scope of the present invention. The pressing tip 302 is used in a manner similar to the tip of a smartphone stylus pen to press the baby hairs.

By way of example, the baby-hair brush 300 includes bristles 304 that form a styling brush for use in baby-hair styling, such as brushing down the baby hairs. The baby-hair brush 300 also includes rows of teeth 306, that together form a comb for further styling and shaping of the baby hairs.

The baby-hair brush 300 also incudes a handle portion 308 and a second (proximate) end 309. Operatively attached to the proximate end 309 is a tail comb 310, also called a rat tail comb. In some embodiments of the baby-hair brush 300, the handle 308 has an elongated or slender type shape. The tail comb 310 includes a sharp tip 311 for styling the baby hairs. In a deployment stage 312, the tail comb 310 is in a stowed position suitable for storing or transporting the baby-hair brush 300. However, when deployed for use, as depicted in deployment stage 314, the tail comb 310 is configured for parting hair, to pull out the baby hair, and to begin the baby hair shaping and styling process.

Once the hair styling process concludes, the tail comb 310 is collapsible by folding into a groove 316, or cavity, for stowing. The tail comb 310 being able to fold into the groove 316 for stowing reduces the susceptibility of the tail comb 310 to damage when being transported in a purse or being carried in the pocket of a garment. Stowing of the tail comb 310 also reduces the potential of a user being injured by the sharp tip 311. The groove 316 is formed (e.g., carved) into the handle 308 of the baby-hair brush 300.

FIG. 4 is a more detailed illustration of the collapsible tail comb 310 depicted in t FIG. 3. In the illustrious embodiment of FIG. 3, the handle 308 is shown with the tail comb 310 in various stages of deployment 400, 402, 404, and 406. By way of a single example, the tail comb 310 can be attached to an axis 408 for securing in place and to facilitate rotating of the tail comb 310 for folding into the groove 316. In an embodiment, the axis 408 could be a pin, small rod, or any other conventional fastening and rotating mechanisms known to a person of skill in the art.

By way of example only, and not limitation, in the deployment stage 400 the tail comb 310 is fully deployed or extended out of the groove 316. In the deployment stage 402, a base 311 of the tail comb 310 is slightly rotated along the axis 408 in a rotational direction A1 toward the groove 316.

Similarly, in the deployment stage 404, the base of the tail comb 310 continues rotation along the axis 408 in the rotational direction A1, toward the groove 316. Finally, in the deployment stage 406, the tail comb 310 is depicted being fully retracted into the groove 316 for stowing. When stowed, or fully folded, the tail comb 310 is substantially hidden from visibility of the user. In practice, the user can cycle the collapsible tail comb 310 through all of the deployment stages 400, 402, 404, and 406, in a single motion.

FIG. 5 is a detailed illustration of a baby-hair brush 500 according to a second embodiment of the invention. The baby-hair brush 500 includes a handle 508 and a tail comb 510. The tail comb 510 includes a sharp tip 511.

The tail comb 510 collapses for stowing by retracting into a small internal cavity or shaft 512 formed within the handle 508. That is, instead of folding along a rotational axis for stowing, such as the axis 408 in the tail comb 310, the tail comb 510 of FIG. 5 is movable (e.g., when depressed by a user) along a longitudinal axis (X) of the handle 508 for stowing within the cavity 512.

By way of example only, and not limitation, movement and stowing of the tail comb 510 can be controlled by means of a spring locking mechanism 514 in a manner similar to operation of a conventional ballpoint pen. Other mechanisms, well known to a person of skill in the art, can be used to facilitate the retracting and stowing of the tail comb 510 and are within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

During operation, for example, a stage of deployment 520 in FIG. 5 depicts the tail comb 510 fully extended and ready for use to style baby-hairs. By way of example, as a user slightly presses the sharp tip 511 of the tail comb 510 for stowing, the tail comb 510 moves along the longitudinal axis (X) of the handle 508. At a brief moment in time, the tail comb 510 appears partially stowed within the cavity 512 as depicted in a deployment stage 530.

In yet other embodiments, a button or other mechanism (not shown) can be actuated by the user to initiate retraction of the tail comb 510.

In a deployment stage 540, as the user continues to retract the tail comb 510, the tail comb 510 eventually completely slides into the shaft 512 for storage. In the baby-hair brush 500, the tail comb 510 is completely hidden from view and access by the user. In practice, and as discussed above in relation to the tail comb 310 of FIG. 4, the user can cycle the retractable tail comb 510 through all of the deployment stages 520, 530, and 540 in a single motion.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a baby-hair brush cap 600 constructed in accordance with the embodiments. In FIG. 6, the baby-hair brush cap 600 is configured for protecting, and storing the pressing tip 302, the brush 304, and the 306 of the baby-hair brush 310. The baby-hair brush cap 600 operates similar to a toothbrush cap but is configured to protect the important features of the baby-hair brush 300 formed at its distal end 303. A partially open baby-hair brush cap 610 is also depicted in FIG. 6, along with a packaged baby-hair brush cap 612 ready for shipment and sale to waiting customers.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of sample dimensions 700 of one exemplary baby-hair brush constructed in accordance with the embodiments. While a baby-hair brush arranged in accordance with the embodiments can be constructed with any suitable dimensions, the dimensions 700 are one example. In FIG. 7, and for purposes of relative comparison only, the exemplary baby-hair brush 300 has a length (L₁) about 7 times longer that its width (W).

When extended, the tail comb 310 has a length (L₂)—a little less than one third of the length (L₂) of the baby-hair brush 300. However, the embodiments of the baby-hair brush 300 are not limited to the exemplary dimensions 700 of FIG. 7. For example, dimensions of the illustrious embodiments of the baby-hair brush 300 can include various standards and ratios, all of which would be within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Those skilled in the relevant art(s) will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the embodiments described above can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the disclosure may be practiced other than as specifically described herein. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A hairstyling device, comprising: a handle; at least one of bristles or a row of teeth positioned on a side of one end of the handle; and a tail comb operatively attached to an opposite end of the handle, the tail comb being collapsible for storage in an interior portion of the handle of the handle.
 2. The hairstyling device of claim 1, further comprising a pressing tip attached atop of the one end.
 3. The hairstyling device of claim 2, wherein the pressing is configured for pressing baby hairs into place.
 4. The hairstyling device of claim 3, wherein the pressing tip is constructed of a soft material.
 5. The hairstyling device of claim 4, wherein the soft material includes one of rubber and plastic.
 6. The hairstyling device of claim 2, wherein the handle is elongated.
 7. The hairstyling device of claim 6, wherein the handle has a width (W_(h)) and a length (L_(h)) about 7 times the width.
 8. The hairstyling device of claim 7, wherein the tail comb has a length (L_(tc)) about twice the width (W_(h)) of the handle.
 9. The hairstyling device of claim 2, wherein the bristles are attached to one side of the one end of the handle and the row of teeth are attached to another side of the one end of the handle.
 10. The hairstyling device of claim 2, wherein the bristles form a brush, and wherein the row of teeth forms a comb.
 11. The hairstyling device of claim 1, wherein the handle includes a groove formed on an exterior surface of the other end of the handle, the tail comb being configured for folding into the groove.
 12. The hairstyling device of claim 1, wherein the handle includes a chamber bored into an interior portion of the other end of the handle, the tail comb being retractable into the chamber into the chamber.
 13. The hairstyling device of claim 1, wherein the tail comb is configured for styling hair.
 14. The hairstyling device of claim 1, wherein the tail comb is configured for styling baby hairs.
 15. The hairstyling device of claim 1, wherein collapsible includes being foldable or retractable.
 16. A hairstyling device, comprising: a handle; at least one of bristles or a row of teeth positioned on a side of one end of the handle; a tail comb operatively attached to an opposite end of the handle, the tail comb being collapsible for storage in an interior portion of the handle; and a pressing tip attached atop of the one end.
 17. The hairstyling device of claim 16, wherein the handle includes a groove formed on an exterior surface of the other end of the handle, the tail comb being configured for folding into the groove.
 18. The hairstyling device of claim 16, wherein the handle includes a chamber bored into an interior portion of the other end of the handle, the tail comb being retractable into the chamber into the chamber.
 19. The hairstyling device of claim 16, wherein the tail comb is configured for styling baby hairs.
 20. The hairstyling device of claim 16, further comprising a pressing tip attached atop of the one end. 